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Should I start Rico Dowdle, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt for Week 5? Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks and recommendations for the 2025 NFL season.
Finding running back help on the waiver wire is always a challenge, but Week 5 offers a few names who could carve out short-term fantasy value. Injuries and shifting depth chart dynamics have opened the door for some fresh opportunities, while others are starting to see their roles diminish. Fantasy managers will need to weigh immediate volume against long-term upside when deciding who is worth a roster spot, and who is worth start.
This week, the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs all present situations that could impact fantasy rosters moving forward. Carolina is dealing with a banged-up Chuba Hubbard, putting Rico Dowdle in line for more touches, though rookie Trevor Etienne is lurking. In Houston, Nick Chubb’s days as the lead back appear to be numbered as rookie Woody Marks has taken control of the backfield. Meanwhile, Kansas City may be turning back to a familiar face in Kareem Hunt as Isiah Pacheco’s struggles continue.
Each of these backfields comes with risk, but they also carry potential opportunity for managers in need of depth or a one-week Band-Aid. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach Dowdle, Chubb, and Hunt on for Week 5 lineups and potential start/sit decisions.
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Should I Start Rico Dowdle in Week 5?
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle enters Week 5 with one of the most important fantasy assets—opportunity. With starter Chuba Hubbard (calf) sidelined in practice this week, Dowdle is the next man up in the Panthers’ backfield and could be in line for increased touches against the Miami Dolphins. However, fantasy managers should temper expectations.
TD Panthers, Rico Dowdle aumenta a vantagem.
📺: #ATLvsCAR ao vivo no NFL Game Pass pic.twitter.com/MsMHsOqjoF
— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) September 21, 2025
Dowdle has worked as the primary change-of-pace option behind Hubbard through the first four weeks but has been largely ineffective, managing just 66 yards on 22 carries for a modest 3.0 yards per attempt. His lack of efficiency has left the door open for rookie Trevor Etienne, who flashed last week with seven carries for 33 yards and showed a burst Dowdle has yet to provide.
The Panthers coaching staff could look to expand Etienne’s role if Dowdle struggles again, making this situation volatile for fantasy purposes. While Dowdle’s potential workload makes him worth monitoring, he profiles more as a desperation flex play than a priority waiver add. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on this backfield but avoid over-investing in a short-term, low-upside option.
Verdict: RB3/FLEX
Should I Start Nick Chubb in Week 5?
Nick Chubb began the season as the RB1 for the Houston Texans, handling 51% and 53% of the offensive snaps in the opening two weeks. The veteran looked set to anchor the backfield, but the tide has shifted quickly with rookie Woody Marks gaining momentum. Over the past two games, Chubb’s workload has gradually declined as Marks has carved out a larger role in both the running and passing game.
In Week 4, Marks firmly took control of the backfield, playing 56% of the snaps while out-touching Chubb 21 to 15. The rookie proved why the Texans are ready to lean on him, piling up 119 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns in a breakout performance. His ability to contribute in both phases of the offense has provided Houston with a spark, while Chubb has been relegated to more of a complementary role.
Nick Chubb bouncing off defenders 😤
HOUvsLAR on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/sqfevq8VBQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Chubb’s 4.0 yards per carry remains serviceable, but his days as a fantasy starter appear numbered. Unless an injury re-opens opportunity, he projects more as a change-of-pace back moving forward. Fantasy managers in shallower formats can safely move on, while Marks should be viewed as a priority waiver pickup with RB2 upside.
Verdict: Bench in most leagues, RB3/FLEX for deeper leagues
Should I Start Kareem Hunt in Week 5?
The Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield has been murky to start the season, with Isiah Pacheco opening as the lead option through the first three weeks. However, Pacheco has struggled to make an impact in a sluggish offense, and his inconsistency has created an opening for Kareem Hunt to reclaim a significant role.
In Week 4, Hunt led all Chiefs running backs with a 44% snap share and out-touched Pacheco 14 to nine, signaling a possible shift toward him as the team’s primary ball carrier. While Hunt isn’t the explosive runner he once was, his experience and ability to contribute on all downs make him a valuable piece in a committee that has yet to find its rhythm.
Kareem Hunt powers through the goal line TD
KCvsNYG on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/nrjPazxuWQ— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2025
The wild card for fantasy managers remains rookie Brashard Smith, who showed promise as a pass-catcher with three receptions for 27 yards last week. Although his rushing work has been limited, his involvement through the air suggests he could carve out a complementary role moving forward.
For now, Hunt looks like a short-term Band-Aid for RB-needy fantasy teams heading into a Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s worth a roster spot, but expectations should remain modest in this unpredictable committee.
Verdict: RB3/FLEX for deeper leagues
Who Should I Start Tool
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Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 5 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Rico Dowdle, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 5. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Week 5 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Rico Dowdle, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 5.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 5 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 5 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 5 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 5 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Rico Dowdle, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt compared to others:
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